Pancha Pranali: Srichchha Pradhan’s BWAP project for 72nd Miss World pageant

In a world facing urgent environmental challenges, Srichchha Pradhan — Miss Nepal 2023 — is leading a movement that bridges ancient wisdom and modern sustainability through her groundbreaking project, Pancha Pranali.

Set to represent Nepal at the 72nd Miss World pageant under the “Beauty with a Purpose” initiative, Srichchha’s work is more than a competition entry — it’s a heartfelt mission rooted in Nepal’s rich cultural heritage and environmental philosophy.

A graduate in Environmental Science and a lifelong wildlife conservation enthusiast, Srichchha found her inspiration in an unexpected place: Nepal’s spiritual traditions. While researching the concept of the Bodhisattva during her final-year academic project, she experienced a powerful realization — that centuries-old cultural and spiritual practices already held the keys to solving many of today’s environmental issues. This epiphany became the foundation of Pancha Pranali — meaning “The Five Systems.”

Reconnecting with the Five Elements of Life

Pancha Pranali is inspired by the five classical elements — Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space — known not only to Nepalese traditions but also deeply revered by indigenous communities around the world. Instead of viewing environmental challenges through a modern, linear lens, Srichchha proposes a circular, inclusive model — one that celebrates nature, community, and ancestral knowledge.

“The problem isn't just climate change,” Srichchha says. “It’s disconnection — from land, from each other, and from ourselves. By listening to the rivers, the trees, and the animals, we are healing ourselves.”

The initiative is already making a tangible impact. In collaboration with communities like the Piachhem in Lalitpur City and organizations like Ecosathi Nepal, Lions Club, SpeakUp Nepal, and government entities, Pancha Pranali has launched:

• Heritage Markets that revive traditional eco-friendly practices

• Youth-led eco-cleanups

• Indigenous climate storytelling programs

• Art exhibitions and workshops showcasing the five elements

• Rekriti, Nepal’s first upcycled denim event, promoting sustainable fashion

A Week of Elemental Celebration

The official launch of Pancha Pranali on December 21, 2024, marked a milestone in community-led conservation. A week-long celebration was dedicated to each element, blending traditional art, music, and spiritual practices with interactive sustainability workshops. Each day invited people to explore the environmental and cultural significance of one element — making conservation a shared, lived experience.

Traditional symbols like fluttering prayer flags (air), ceremonial fires (fire), sacred rivers (water), earthen architecture (earth), and spiritual rituals (space) became teaching tools — connecting daily life with the deeper message of ecological balance.

Renowned Nepali artists contributed intricate works to the Bodhisattva Gallery, visually representing the harmony of these elements and highlighting the depth of Nepal’s environmental wisdom.

A Global Message with Local Roots

Srichchha believes that the answers to modern crises often lie in our past. With Pancha Pranali, she’s not just reviving cultural knowledge — she’s reframing it as a solution. “This isn’t about fixing problems; it’s about celebrating strengths,” she shares. “These stories, these traditions — they’re not just relics. They’re roadmaps.”

As she prepares to present Pancha Pranali on the Miss World stage, Srichchha carries with her a universal message: that cultural identity and environmental stewardship must go hand in hand. Her journey — from a student of science to Miss Nepal and global sustainability advocate — is a powerful reminder that change begins by honoring where we come from.

In Srichchha’s words: “Pancha Pranali is not just a cultural exhibit. It’s a reminder of who we are — and who we must become again to protect the Earth.”